The Naval Battle of the Hannah Elizabeth

Among the Mexican population of Texas there was a want of union. The
most of them were in favor of the constitution of 1824, but a difference
of race and treatment induced many of them to side with the enemy. John
N. Seguin, of an ancient Mexican family residing on the river, a few
miles below San Antonio, at the head of a company of rancheros, joined
the Texan standard in October, 1835 ; and was of much service,
especially in giving notice of the designs of the enemy. Colonel Jose
Maria Gonzales, a Mexican of distinction and influence, and formerly of
the army of Mexico, applied for leave to enter the Texan service, with a
number of his countrymen. The permission was granted, and an outfit of
five hundred dollars was voted him from the humble treasury of the
republic. He issued a stirring address to his people, which had the good
effect of drawing out some, and neutralizing others. Colonel Sandoval,
who had been so handsomely captured at Goliad by Collingsworth, also
applied for permission to join the Texan army ; but the council, deeming
him too recent a convert to be entrusted with arms in their ranks,
ordered that he and those captured with him should be sent to San
Augustine for safe keeping : for want of means, however, they were not
sent.

As early as the month of November, the enemy had upon the Texan coast
the " Bravo" and " Montezuma," two small vessels-of-war, charged with
the importation of recruits and stores for Texas. These vessels were
quite annoying to the revolutionists, and efforts were made to fit out
like armed vessels to repel them. On one occasion, the schooner " Hannah
Elizabeth," freighted with cannon, arms, and ammunition, intended for
the Texan service, and an adventure of goods and provisions belonging in
part to Peter Kerr, sailed from
New Orleans for Matagorda. Kerr was himself on board, as were
likewise Jose M. J. Carbajal and Fernando de Leon, the latter two having
charge of the other freight. She was discovered, pursued, and run
aground, at Pass Cavallo, by the Bravo. In the chase she had thrown
overboard her cannon and ammunition. She was boarded by a prize-crew,
consisting of Lieutenant Mateo and eleven men, from the Bravo ; and
Carbajal, De Leon, and some others, were transferred as prisoners to
that vessel. Shortly after, the Bravo was driven off by a norther.
In a day or two afterward, the citizens of Matagorda, having received
notice of the wreck, purchased and armed the schooner " William
Robbins," placed her under the command of Captain Hurd, and, with a
small force on board, commanded by Captain S. Rhoads Fisher, retook the
stranded vessel, and made the prize-crew prisoners. This was all very
well ; but they went further, and appropriated to themselves the goods
and provisions, allowing Kerr to retain his part on payment of half
their value! But Kerr, being unable to do this, got none.* Governor
Smith, being duly advised of these proceedings, took occasion, in a
special message, to reprehend them severely.
[See Next: Houston Organizes
Texas Army]

* Fisher's statement, December 17, 1835.
Poor Kerr! this was but the beginning of his troubles. He was shortly
afterward, greatly against his will, made to play a conspicuous part in
the Texan Revolution, as we shall see. It is only a short time since he
received from the United States treasury, under the award of the " mixed
commission," some remuneration for his adventure on the " Hannah
Elizabeth."